Ceresi Says 2nd Arrest No Reason To Resign

School Committee Vice Chair Larry Ceresi was arrested April 26 in Lincoln on a felony charge of domestic stalking, the second time in just over a year he has faced charges. Ceresi, 41, served as chair of the NK School Committee from 2008 to 2010. He said any calls for his resignation are "premature."

"It's a bit premature at this point for anyone to be calling for my resignation as I haven't even had a day in court or entered a plea as of yet," Ceresi said via email Tuesday.

According to the Northeast Independent, Lincoln police said Ceresi was arrested at gunpoint after he attempted to drive away from officers. He is due in Sixth District Court on June 27 for a prearraignment disposition conference.

Ceresi was arrested in April 2012 by the North Kingstown Police on charges of domestic assault, domestic disorderly conduct and domestic refusal to relinquish a phone after an altercation. Those charges were dropped after the alleged victim refused to press charges.

About the recent charges, Ceresi said, "This matter has been blown out of proportion and as the old saying goes, there are two sides to every story. The authorities have been very professional. I have and will continue to fully cooperate with them as I fully expect this matter to be dismissed once all the facts and evidence has been presented before the court within the next several weeks.

"On a personal level, the past year has been a difficult one for me. I have and will continue to work hard to put myself in a better place for both myself and my family."

School Committee Chair Kim Page said she did not learn about the arrest from Ceresi, but rather from a tip that she confirmed through the state data base. But, she added, Ceresi told her "in the appropriate time period."

"Kim may not have initially heard directly from me but we've spoken about it," Ceresi said. "It's not a School Committee matter, it's a personal matter. I'm sure there's lots of things that go on in the personal lives of other school committee members and their families that I am unaware of...."

"Right now it’s not directly impacting his ability to serve as a School Committee member," Page said. "If he was convicted, then the Town Charter comes into play."

"Let the judicial process play out," said School Committee member Lynda Avanzato. "I have confidence that Larry will be exonerated. He is a good person who donates much of his time and his School Committee stipend to help the schools and children in our town."  

Noting it was a busy time, with end-of-year activites, Page said the School Committee would "continue to focus on what we’re working for, for the students."